William and Margaret Leigh marked the special day at their home in Galon Uchaf.

The couple met in 1952 on the last train home after William had spent the evening playing darts for his team at the Iron Bridge Vaults and Margaret had met up with some friends from work for the evening.

They were married in Merthyr Register Office in July, 1954, surrounded by family and friends.

Mrs Leigh, 84, had recently moved back to Merthyr Tydfil after growing up in Blaenau Ffestinog when the couple met.

At the time of the marriage, she lived with her aunt in Chapel Street, Abercanaid, and worked as a green grocers assistant in the town.

She was a fluent Welsh speaker and was well known for chatting in Welsh to the customers.

Mr Leigh, 83, was born and bred in Merthyr Tydfil and worked as a scaffolder on the construction of Merthyr Tydfil College. He lived with his widowed mother and younger siblings in Duffyrn Fawr, Pentrebach.

After their wedding, they moved in with Mr Leigh’s mum in Pentrebach for a short time before moving to Blaenau Ffestinog.

They then had two sons, Malcolm and Stephen, both born in Bangor during two of the worst winters in North Wales history.

The family of four then returned to Merthyr in 1966 for work and they lived in Caeharris.

By 1969, two more children had been born, daughters, Allyson and Elaine, and this completed their family.

The couple both worked in various companies including the Gas Board and OP Chocolates until their retirements in 1990, since which they have enjoyed many years of days out, antique hunting and spending lots of time with their grandchildren.

Asked the secret of their marriage’s longevity, Mr Leigh said: “Respecting each other, that’s why we lasted so long.”

The couple have received many well wishes, including cards from Buckingham Palace and The Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil.